I'm a total gun n00b here. My experience is firing .22 cal rifles as a kid for target practice. That's it.

I'm moving into a fairly isolated place, and I'm considering getting a handgun for some added security and to take to the range from time to time. I've started looking into handgun permits in my area.

My question is, what should I be looking for in a pistol, and what kind of price should I expect to pay? Can handguns only be purchased in the state in which you're licensed to carry? (for example, I live in NY about 5 minutes from the CT border... could I buy in CT if I'm licensed in NY?

So basically the only weapon I'm familiar with is the glock, because that's what all the cops I work with carry as their duty weapon. To me, that indicates it must be a reliable weapon, easy to use in high pressure situations, and fairly safe. Is this an accurate assessment? Other recommendations?

Sigs and XD's will be almost as reliable (I've never have any problems with 3 Sigs and an XD), and probably more comfortable to fire.

Go to a store and handle a bunch of them. Better yet, go to the range and fire a bunch of them. Pick the one you are most comfortable with.

Regarding buying across state borders, you'll probably have to have it shipped to an FFL dealer within your state of residence.

Make a list of ones you liked and let us critique it for cost, ease of use, maintenence, etc. :)

About the glock, yes it is reliable, accurate enough and safe. However I dont personally care for them due to the trigger (safety trigger or whatever they call it). I also like a gun with an external hammer but thats just me.

its basically a Double Action or Single Action, external hammer, external safety. Decocker preferred. Caliber 9mm.

An example would be the HK USP in 9mm.

Manual trigger disconnecting safety, hammer fired so DA or SA.

Ruger P89
HK USP
Beretta PX4
S&W 3rd gen

9mm for wide choice in ammo at probably the best price per round for centerfire.

for any situation you may find yourself in.


Others hate the grip angle, but when Gaston designed them initially he surveyed a large number of non-shooters to determine the most comfortable and inherently accurate grip angle possible. I started shooting Glocks at 17 and competed for a few years at local matches, IMO they're excellent guns, especially for n00bs.

glocks have been improved upon

Only downsides, per se, is the 8+1 capacity & lack of magazines/parts on the market...but it is almost a P225. But a Sig for $300 can't be beat.

<img src="http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/3732/p6v2ce3.jpg">
<a href="http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/3732/p6v2ce3.jpg">not mine</a>

If money were no object (within reason) I would have loved to get an XD...I have disliked every Glock I've fired. YMMV.

I'd prefer a safety, but for the price it's tough to beat.

Get a shotgun that holds a large amount of shells and fill it with 000 BUCK or SLUG.

But if you are determined to get a pistol, don't go anything less than a .357 mag. I kind of grew up with the .357mag and liked it, but as I grew up I got a 9mm Luger and used it around the ranch. It wouldn't kill the armadillo's, raccoon's, etc as well as a .357mag. There was a huge difference. I even bought a .44 Mag Ruger 96/44 lever action rifle and it didn't kill a small white tailed deer from close range with the first shot (through the heart). So my actual real life ballistics of pistols have changed over the years.

I think I am going to buy a Walther P99 QA in 40 S&amp;W just because I should be able to get in 3 or 4 shots accurately rather fast compared to that of a .44 Mag in a revolver (due to recoil). I will eventually go with a .460 or .500 revolver with a long barrel for self defense in the backwoods (bear mainly), but I am on a limited budget.

grip safety won me over. XD40sc is on my hip every day.

Aims a little low for my liking, and damn the DA is heavy. I have an 18# spring coming my way...and might, but have to research first, install different/adjustable sights.
I did a 80% tear-down and cleaning before I fired it, but want to get the $25 refresh kit from Wolf and do a complete dis/reassembly. Oh, and I need a range bag, too. :)

they break the pistol down, thoroughly cleans it, replace all the springs and install new night sights for $130.

Pretty popular option on the sig forum.<ul><li><a href="http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/SSP.aspx">http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/SSP.aspx</a</li></ul>

Following up on these, Danos sold me 4 of them and They all run flawlessly.

We bought some variated front sights which can be used to fine tune adjust the sights. They come in a package of 4 with different heights and they're only 10 bucks. I think Solomon posted a link to them a few months ago.

My 225 shot a bit high because the front sight was too low. Easy cheap fix.

they are simple to operate and care for, plus they will last forever.

I love my Smith &amp; Wesson .357 mag. It also shoots 38 specials for a cheap(er) day at the range

...I might do for a combination of ****s n gits and a tune-up, so to speak.

Hits are about 3-4 inches low from where I'd like, I saw a Sig sight guide somewhere awhile back that showed how much each sight index changed the height of impact at a given distance (prolly 25 yds). I can find it again, I'm sure.

.38, .38+P and .357 Magnum.

Goes bang when you pull the trigger.

If you have a failure to fire, you simply pull the trigger again.

And you need to read up on NY gun laws. Big time.